Hearing Set On East-west Expressway Extension

March 16, 1986|By Ramsey Campbell of The Sentinel Staff

TAVARES — A public hearing is planned for April 3 in Clermont to discuss a proposed extension of Orange County's East-West Expressway, to be built in Lake County. Consultants for the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority last week recommended a 5.2-mile route west of Orlando running about a mile south of State Road 50 as the least costly and least-disruptive route.

A plan to extend the expressway north of S.R. 50 was rejected by the consultants because the southern route would save at least $5.8 million.

Lake County Administrator Mike Willett said whatever route is selected, it would make it much easier to reach Orlando from Lake County.

''Either way will cut 15 to 20 minutes . . .,'' he said.

The western extension, which could be under construction in 1989, is projected to carry about 35,500 cars a day by 2010. It is expected to take a big load off S.R. 50 as well as allowing for a quicker way of getting to downtown Orlando from Lake County.

The extension would cost about $47.8 million to build.

The prospect of an extension has heightened the interest of developers in South Lake County.

The hearing will be held at the Tabernacle Baptist Church on S.R. 50. The expressway authority is expected to vote on the route next month.